Hawks set to host Kings

(Sports Network) - Josh Smith remained a member of the Atlanta Hawks after the trade deadline and he will lead his team Friday night when they host the Sacramento Kings.

The eyes of the NBA world were focused sharply on Atlanta during the waning minutes of Thursday's 3 p.m. trade deadline.

It was not because of the Anthony Morrow-for-Dahntay Jones swap with the Mavs.

Smith was expected to be the biggest chip moved on Thursday's deadline. He will be an unrestricted free agent after the season and has hinted that he would like a max contract.

The Hawks may not be willing to spend so much, but were unable to consummate any deals for the versatile forward. There were rumors of a deal with the Houston Rockets or Milwaukee Bucks, but Smith stays as the Hawks push toward the playoffs.

"At the end of the day, we felt, as I've said all along, we value Josh," General Manager Danny Ferry told the Hawks website. "We think he's an important part of this team.

"We're in a situation with him where we can re-evaluate things in the summer together and decide if it's a situation with his free agency he continues here or goes somewhere else."

The Hawks also acquired forward/center Jeremy Tyler and cash considerations from the Golden State Warriors for future draft considerations.

Atlanta fell to the Miami Heat on Wednesday, 103-90, at home. The Hawks had won two in a row before the break, both on the road, where they head after Friday's game. They play six straight away from home, including four out west.

The Kings got the trade deadline rolling on Wednesday night when they sent Thomas Robinson, the fifth pick in last summer's draft, Francisco Garcia and Tyler Honeycutt to the Houston Rockets for Patrick Patterson, Toney Douglas and Cole Aldrich.

"They will add skill and depth along with the potential for a different look to our roster," Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie said.

All three are expected to be in uniform Friday night when the Kings begin a five-game road trip through the South. Sacramento will visit Atlanta, New Orleans, Miami, Orlando and San Antonio on this jaunt below the Mason-Dixon Line.

The Kings have dropped three in a row dating back to before the All-Star break. They fell at home to the San Antonio Spurs, 108-102, on Tuesday as six Kings players scored in double figures, led by 22 from Isaiah Thomas and 20 from Tyreke Evans, who has netted 20 or more in his last three outings.

"There wasn't a moral victory here, but I thought our guys did a great job against one of the best teams in the league," Kings coach Keith Smart said.

The Hawks have won nine in a row over the Kings, including a 112-96 victory on Nov. 16 in Sacramento. The Kings haven't won in Atlanta since March 3, 2006, losing five straight there.